Gone are the days when Jarrow were seen as easy pickings, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Following an indifferent start to the season, manager Paul Thu and assistant Dave Bell have put together a side which they are confident can take on the best.

Today, Jarrow visit Stokesley SC in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup optimistic that they can reach their third quarter-final having already made progress in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup and League Cup.

A blow, though, is the absence of goalkeeper Gary Rogers and midfielder Keith Hallway although Dave Hutchinson is available and the management duo expect to parade a new signing. Stokesley include Simon Wilson but David Yale is playing for North Riding under-18s.

Cleadon SC face a daunting task visiting Birtley Town, the league's leading scorers with 51 goals in just 16 outings.

Stephen Ireland is expected to return to the Birtley midfield but manager David Smith is awaiting fitness tests on Paul Wilson, Anthony Cosgrove and Anthony Lynch.

North Shields will have at least three players returning for their home tie with Annfield Plain. Skipper Nicholas Evans, Neil McCulloch and Barry Gibson line up but Neil Hartley, who has missed the last three games through injury, is still rated doubtful.

Brian Smith and Craig McRobie, who made their debuts last week, are in contention for places in the starting line-up.

Despite losing 4-1 last week, Ryhope CW could stick to the same side which finished their tie, although Nicky Smith and Paul Lamb are free to play at home to Windscale.

Second-bottom Ferryhill Athletic, who have won their last two games, visit Redcar Town and their chances could well depend on Alan Robson maintaining his scoring form of five goals in the last two outings.

Wolviston go to Whitehaven unable to call upon Neil Bromfield or Ian Perry and Chris Lax, injured last Saturday, will travel although he may not be able to play the full match.